Just Between Friends Read online

  Seth laughed, thinking she was joking. "What? All the women I sleep with know the score or I don't take them to bed."

  "What do you think, that turns their emotions off? No, they get involved, fall in love, and then you break their hearts. Let's face it, buddy, you're pure hell on women!” Bella got up off the couch and turned on several lights, only to gasp in dismay when she saw the seduction scene he had planned for them.

  In the middle of her living room floor, he'd spread out her down comforter. Next to it was a small bucket holding a bottle of red wine, her favorite. Looking further to the legs of her coffee table, she saw two lengths of silk he'd tied there. What the hell was he planning to do to me? My best friend has a secret kinky side? He's into bondage?

  Groaning, she walked out of the room, not knowing whether she should be upset at his forwardness or flattered. The assumption she would just let him tie her up was one huge step beyond jumping into bed with him. In Bella's mind, the image of her body bound and pleasured, made her thighs clench in need. Okay, Seth sees me as a woman now, but can I be what he wants?

  "Bella, where are you going?" Seth's frustrated voice called after her.

  "Never mind where I'm going-you can go straight to hell, Seth!" She ran up the stairs to her bedroom, she knowing she didn't really mean the words, but she was confused and upset about his change toward her.

  * * * *

  Sitting in the living room, Seth shook his head as he heard the door slam at the top of the stairs. Looking over at the wine and comforter, he realized his plans for the evening were down the drain. Walking over to the comforter, he knelt down on it. The satin duvet covering the down filling was silky to the touch. The wine was in perfect reach to share with her, and best of all, the silken bonds he loved to use on his lovers were waiting for him to wrap around Bella's slender wrists.

  He wasn't sure when the desire to sexually dominate a woman had encompassed his every carnal thought. He just knew he loved to drive a woman crazy with desire to tease every inch of her body until she was begging for release. It was the ultimate sexual high for him, to push her over the edge and know he alone was responsible for giving her that release.

  Kicking his shoes off, he decided to wait until Bella calmed down and tackle her reserves in the morning. Grabbing a handful of t-shirt, he peeled it off and over his head. What he planned on doing was not playing fair but he decided that he was too horny to care. Shutting the light off, he settled himself down on the comforter after stripping his jeans away. Maybe Isabella would peek in on him in the morning.

  * * * *

  When Bella wandered downstairs the next morning, she was in search of a cup of coffee but instead she got a full frontal view of Seth. Standing there, she couldn't help but devour his magnificent form with hungry eyes, and his exposed manhood drew her eye. He was just rousing.

  Opening his eyes to a new day, Seth to his delight, saw Bella standing the open doorway. Feeling her gaze on his exposed manhood, he lay still, feigning sleep while he thought about her nipples and her hot bod. Knowing what would happen to his cock as he concentrated on these thoughts, he watched Bella's face as his cock hardened before her eyes.

  Jerking her eyes away from it, she focused on his face but couldn't help but glancing at his need. Still thinking he was asleep, she found that myth shattered as he open his eyes and reached down to run this hand up and then down his cock.

  "Seth, what the fuck are you doing?" Gasping and in obvious shock he was masturbating in front of her, she was still drawn to his touching himself, unable to look away. Bella had seen cocks before in pictures and even some in person but they had all been soft. Nothing in her limited experience had prepared her for this.

  “Shh, I want you to watch, to know what you're missing." With those words, he groaned as his fist began to move faster and faster.

  * * * *

  Bella stared at him, mesmerized by his flying fist. At the tip she could see drops of pre cum leaking out of the slit. As his fist went to the top of his cock, he rubbed his thumb over the head, smearing the wetness all over the head and then back down his shaft.

  "Oh, baby, don't you want this?” Gasping out a plea, he now cupped his balls. “Go ahead, touch ’em, Bella, if you want to.” Bella edged closer to him as she watched the furious stroking. Half of me wants to touch, but if I do, I'll be just another woman to him. The head of his cock was swollen now, as large and colored as a plum. From the gasps and groans escaping him, she realized he was getting close to his climax, and she had never seen male ejaculation before. I can't believe he's doing this in front of me.

  * * * *

  Isabella's gaze acted on Seth like a strong aphrodisiac. He could already feel his balls tightening in preparation for release. Seeing his little friend was very curious, he wanted very much for her to like the show.

  Bella leaned forward and set her hand on his thigh Damned, if I don't want to touch it. "Oh, my, Seth, it's so big and angry looking. Does it always get that way? Does it hurt?" She was mesmerized as the head of it swelled further and the color became darker.

  "Haven't you ever watched a guy come before, Bella? Yes, it always get this way, but it doesn't hurt.” He moaned louder now as his hand became a blur stroking his cock.

  Suddenly, Bella was afraid for him, the veins in his neck and right arm stood out with his effort. Oh, god, I want to touch it! With slow and hesitant motions, she reached out her hand and rubbed her fingers over the head.

  “That's it, Bella, I'm gonna come!" .

  "You are?" Should I take my hand away?

  "Yes!" Shouting out the words, Seth's face tightened as his cock jerked, his seed exploding out of the head of his cock to land on his stomach and chest, except for one stray drop which found Bella's palm. His muscles relaxed and Bella realized that she had not pulled away quick enough, spotting the drop of semen now rested on her palm. Seth lay there on his back panting as she contemplated how her body had been christened by her best friend's seed. Is there no going back to what we were? Is our future relationship destined to be sexual or not at all?

  Reaching over, he grabbed his t-shirt , but paused and inquired, “Did I get any on you, Bella?”

  Coming out of her trance of sexual thought, Isabella answered. “Yes. Please wipe it off. Seth, I just don't know what to say to you. It's too much, to fast.”

  Seth wiped the cum off her hand, and then attended to his stomach and chest. Sitting up, he moved closer to her and tried to take her into his arms, intent on a kiss. “This is how aroused you make me, Bella, but I'd much rather have sex with you than just with myself.”

  He moved in for a kiss, but she moved her lips away. “I don't know, Seth. You're tempting me but you aren't listening to my concerns. How do I make you listen?

  His eyes went glassy and in a sullen voice, he told her what he knew. “You'll want me, Bella, someday. I will still be around when you want me, but don't come unless you're prepared for sex, because that's the kind of relationship I want.”

  Bella listened as the front door opened and closed firmly behind Seth, wondering if there was anything to be done about this situation. Holding her head in her hands, she groaned out loud, frustrated by her inability to get through to him. I don't want to lose him as a friend, but he seems bound and determine to make me a lover or nothing at all.

  Chapter Two When Bella finally got around to going to work, she found a note trapped under the windshield wiper on her car. Staring at it for a moment, she knew it was from Seth. Setting it on the seat next to her, Bella backed out her driveway and headed towards work. When she pulled into the parking lot of the hospital, she grabbed her bag with her scrubs and headed in, ignoring the note.

  "Hey, nurse Bella!" A four-year-old patient called out as she wheeled herself over to Isabella.

  "Hey there, Marissa, how ya’ feeling today, pumpkin?" Bella asked as she crouched down in front of the girl.

  "Better, I got to eat some toast for breakfast."

  "We
ll, that's great, pumpkin. I see you're up early today."

  "Yeah, Mr. Seth, is gonna come and play with me today," Marissa told her happily. "I like Mr. Seth. He has the coolest games to play."

  "I'm glad. Why don't I wheel you down to Mr. Seth's play room, pumpkin?" Since the accident had taken the use of Marissa's legs, she'd been seeing Seth three times a week for special pediatric physical therapy.

  "Thanks nurse Bella. You're my favorite nurse!" the little girl exclaimed.

  * * * *

  Later on in the day, Isabella sat with Marissa and Seth in the hospital cafeteria eating ice cream. Wanting to sit on the booth seat but unable to decide which adult she wanted to sit next to, Marissa was nestled between the two of them. Bella felt this served a duel purpose, satisfying Marissa, and keeping Seth at arms length. Seth placed a bowl of strawberry ice cream in front of Marissa and then handed Bella her plain Jane vanilla. Seth had a serious sweet tooth, Bella noted, shaking her head, as he dug into his double fudge chocolate ice cream.

  A thought intruded into her head. When he marries, and he will, his wife will be forever cooking up all sorts of delicious goodies for him. Oh, my god, if it isn't me who marries him, I'll lose him. Instinctively she knew a wife wouldn't put up with her presence in his life.

  "Seth, I gotta go potty." Marissa announced her need to the two adults.

  "Well, munchkin, I think nurse Bella will have to handle this one." Sliding out of booth, he picked her up to let Bella out of the booth. As Bella took Marissa from him he brushed the side of her breast with his hand. Looking up at him swiftly, she saw him smile down at her. Leaning down, he whispered into Marissa ear and the four-year-old giggled.

  "Telling secrets are we, Seth?" Bella scolded him and took Marissa to the bathroom. When Marissa was done, Bella helped her clean up. Looking up from washing her hands, Marissa asked a question beyond her years. “Do you like Mr. Seth?” Innocently asked, the question would have to be answered in some manner.

  "Yes, I like him. He's my best friend." Hoping that would end Marissa's curiosity, Bella did a double take at the next question.

  "So are you going to marry him?"

  "What?" Isabella sputtered.

  Out of the mouths of babes.

  “Well, pumpkin, it doesn't always work that way. Sometimes being best friends is all two people get to do, because there's a different kind of love involved in marriage.” She couldn't believe she was skirting the topic of sexual love in marriage with a four-year-old girl.

  “But don't you love Mr. Seth?"

  Unable to answer that question, Bella opted to escape under the cover of ice cream. "Why don't we go back out and finish our ice cream?"

  "Yea, ice cream!" .

  Yet no amount of ice cream could cover up the question growing in Bella's mind. Do I love him?

  * * * *

  Walking out of work that night, she was not surprised to see Seth leaning against her car. Sighing under her breath, she walked over to her car.

  “Hey, Seth, shouldn't you have gone home all ready? " Pulling her keys out of her pants pocket, she continued. “You get an hour before I do.”

  "I just wanted to say thank you for helping with Marissa today. She seemed to do better today in the therapy having you there."

  "No problem. She's a doll, but I don't think that's why you're here." Bella tossed her bag into the back of her car but when she went to straighten up, he pressed his body to hers.

  "Seth, I'm not going to have sex with you, especially not here." Her voice was as stern and cross as she could make it, and she knew she sounded harsh to the guy who had been best friend.

  "Bella, how can this be wrong when it feels so good?" He nuzzled her neck.

  "Seth, stop please and listen to the things I'm telling you." Her words seemed to make no impression as he found her ear lobe, licking and sucking on it.

  Lifting her hands from her car, Bella tried to turn and push him away, but he growled out a command at her.

  "Keep them there." Sliding his hands down her body to her stomach, he pulled her hips back, his breathing rough in her ear. "Do you realize, I was half-hard the whole time we were together today? Even with Marissa there, I wanted you so bad. How can something this hot be wrong?"

  “I just can't, Seth." Gasping, she felt his hardening manhood pressed against her bottom.

  "Why not?" he pleaded, truly not seeing what she was so clear to her.

  "I don't want our friendship to be ruined."

  "I think we've gone past being just friends. We're grown up now, and you're not one of the guys anymore. I know you're the only woman I want right now.”

  Shaking her head in denial, she let loose. “Yeah, Seth, you want me now, but what about three months from now? If I let you have me? Then where will we be? Try to look beyond your dick for once.”

  He seemed unaffected by her words, relying on his old standby. “You want me, Bella. All I have to do is tease those gorgeous nipples and you'll come right here for me."

  You fucking bastard, you don't think I know that? That's why this is so hard on me. She gasped as his right hand left her hip to settle on her breast.

  "So what's the issue? Why won't you say yes?" Spinning her around, he tried to kiss her, like he wanted to throw her over the bumper of her car and fuck her right there.

  "I've been telling you, Seth, but you aren't listening. I won't be your next fuck. I want more before I let you have your way and tie me up.”

  "I won't hurt you, Bella, if that's what you are worried about.”

  "It's not about that, Seth.” Her voice showed her total anger and frustration at his lack of understanding. “It's about you investing yourself in me, I don't want to be just a quick fuck."

  Then from the shadows a light arose, a glimmer of willingness to understand. “Then what is about this, Bella. Talk to me and make me understand why being my lover would ruin our whole relationship."

  "Yes, Seth, it's about talk, romance, and caring.” Knowing it would take time to explain it to him, she became even more frustrated. “I can't just give you instructions, because I don't know them myself, but there has to be more. We have a foundation of friendship, but it can't just change into sex overnight."

  "But it has too soon, or I'll go nuts.” It was obvious he was aroused when he pulled her hand down to his erection.

  "Damn it, Seth. It's not just about that rod in your pants, as much as you think it is. Why don't you just leave me be. If it has to be that way, we don't have to be friends anymore." She hated saying that to him, but maybe this couldn't be solved, and she simply had to let him go. I can't go on forever, fighting him off.

  "If you could feel this buried deep inside of you, Bella, you wouldn't say that. Don't you know how great that feels?"

  "No, I don't, Seth. I happen to be a virgin. I don't have any of your sexual experience. Does that make this any clearer to you?”

  "What? Are you serious?" Dumbfounded, he stared at her. He knew she didn't have a lot of experience but he'd always assumed she had some.

  "There's no way in hell I'm going to let you break me in and then toss me away like the rest of your conquests. Good-ye, Seth." Turning, she got into her car and started the engine.

  Seth tried to wrap his mind around the thought of Bella being a virgin but all that succeeded in doing was making his erection grow another inch from his sudden desire to deflower his friend. Then he remembered his one firm rule with women–avoid virgins at all costs.

  He reached into her window to stop her.

  "No, Seth, let me go." Pulling away, she wondered if she'd maybe given him enough to think about. Or have I lost my best friend?

  Watching her drive out of the parking lot, he considered her bombshell. She's going to be mine, no doubt about it, but maybe I do need to slow down a bit.

  * * * *

  Bella decided against going home, knowing if Seth saw her car, he would more come over to pester her about the little secret she'd exposed. Instead she deci
ded to check out the movie marathon she'd missed for the card game last night. A good movie is just what I need to relax..

  * * * *

  Seth glanced at the clock on the wall and, seeing it was after midnight, wondered where the hell she was. Pacing in his sun room, he considered a different approach to seducing Bella. First, she was his best friend and she knew all about how he operated with women, so he would have to change his approach. Next, it occurred to him how he'd always treated Bella like every other one of his male friends. Looking back, he now realized she wanted to be treated like a woman now, not a guy. If I treat her like a woman, make her feel pretty, desirable and safe with me, maybe she'll feel more comfortable.

  * * * *

  Bella pulled into her driveway after two, cutting the headlights so it wouldn't alert Seth of her return. After locking her car, she started towards her house but realized her efforts at stealth had been in vain. Seth walked right up to her, wearing nothing but a pair of thin, faded boxers.

  "Good night, Seth." She moved around him.

  "Bella, don't go. Let's talk, just talk." His voice sounded different somehow, like he really did want to talk.

  She was unlocking her front door before she sensed he might be serious. If he does want to talk, can I afford to say no?

  “You've been running from me for the last two days, and I'm sick of it." He had moved to the bottom of her front step and was just standing there half-naked and too cute for words.

  "No, Seth, you've been chasing me for the last two days and I'm sick of it too." Turning to face him, she hoped he was sincere.

  "I wouldn't have to chase you if you would quit running from me."

  That's true, but does he see the other side of that equation?

  "Seth, I'm not going to argue with you. You're either willing to build a solid, long-term relationship with me or you go back to your sex bunnies. “ Bella paused, sighed and added something she had not yet revealed to him. "I think I could love you, Seth, forever and ever, but I'm not willing to trade that for a few hours in your bed."